Emotional swansong for Beckham in Paris

Emotional swansong for Beckham in Paris

A capacity crowd chanting his name, the Eiffel Tower in the background: even by his own glamorous standards, David Beckham got a special send-off on Saturday as he headed into retirement with another title in the bag.

"Tonight was a nice way to go out, in front of my family and in front of the capacity crowd who were excited because we won the league," the 38-year-old former England captain told reporters after his 10th and probably final Ligue 1 appearance.

"The celebrations were incredible so it's a nice way to walk off the pitch," he added, having wiped away a few tears when he was substituted in the 81st minute of a 3-1 win against Stade Brest at the Parc des Princes.

"It started 20 minutes before, the emotion started kicking in; it was hard to run, let alone kick a ball," said Beckham who was made captain for the game.

Image: Paris Saint-Germain players throw David Beckham in the air at the end of their team's French Ligue 1 soccer match against Brest at the Parc des Princes stadium in ParisPhotographs: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

'Enjoy time with my family'

Beckham, who announced he was retiring on Thursday, is highly unlikely to play on the Brittany side's artificial pitch, though.

"We have to decide, but I don't think he will play. He will come with the team but I don't think he will play," coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference. "A plastic pitch is difficult for a 38-year-old,"

Beckham, who set up two goals in his 10 league appearances for PSG, said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, and four children.

"After 22 years of playing football I'm going to take a few months to enjoy time with my family," Beckham said.